This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of R(+)XK469 in treating patients with advanced neuroblastoma. Drugs used in chemotherapy work in different ways to stop cancer cells from dividing so they stop growing or die.

Generally defined as the MTD. For both schedules A and B and the pediatric dosing schedule, once the recommended phase II dose has been tentatively defined, a total of 12 evaluable patients will be studied to ensure the feasibility of this dose for phase II trials. If interindividual pharmacokinetic variability is high, additional patients will be enrolled (maximum of 20 at the phase II dose) to permit adequate pharmacological characterization of XK469 and the relationship of interindividual pharmacokinetic variability to toxicity.

Secondary Outcome Measures:

Metabolism of XK469 in pediatric patients [ Time Frame: Days 1-3 of course 1 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Plasma metabolic ratios between metabolite and XK469 concentrations will be used as an index of metabolic activity and phenotype for each patient. The modality of the frequency distribution of metabolic ratios will be also described.

Pharmacokinetics of XK469 in pediatric patients [ Time Frame: Days 1-3 of course 1 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

The maximum number of samples for pharmacokinetic studies will not exceed 20. Analyzed by non compartmental method using the WinNonlin software. Parameters include the elimination rate constant, the area under the concentration vs. time curve (AUC), terminal half-life, total (nonrenal + renal) clearance, and volume of distribution at steady state. Mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation will be determined for each parameter.

Pharmacodynamics of XK469 in pediatric patients [ Time Frame: Continuously over the course of study treatment ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Performed by correlating area under the curve (AUC) (and other parameters) of R(+)XK469 and metabolites with observed toxicities. Specifically, we will compare the AUC in those patients who experience grade >= 2 toxicity to those who experience grade < 2 toxicity using a Wilcoxon, nonparametric rank-sum test.

Antineoplastic activity of XK469 for neuroblastoma [ Time Frame: Every 2 courses ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Response and progression will be evaluated in this study using the new international criteria proposed by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) Committee.

SCHEDULE A: Patients receive R(+)XK469 IV over 30 minutes on days 1, 3, and 5. Courses repeat every 3 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Cohorts of 3-6 patients receive escalating doses of R(+)XK469 until the recommended phase II dose or MTD is determined. The MTD is defined as the dose preceding that at which 2 of 6 patients experience dose-limiting toxicity. Once the MTD is determined, additional patients are accrued and treated at the recommended phase II dose (for a maximum of 20 patients treated at that dose).

SCHEDULE B: Once the recommended phase II dose is determined on schedule A, additional patients are accrued and receive escalating doses of R(+)XK469 IV over 30-60 minutes on day 1, beginning at a reduced dose. Courses repeat every 3 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Dose escalation continues as in Schedule A.

Drug: R(+)XK469

Given IV

Other Name: XK469

Detailed Description:

OBJECTIVES:

I. Determine the maximum tolerated dose, recommended phase II dose, and dose-limiting toxicity of R(+)XK469 in two different dosing schedules in patients with advanced neuroblastoma.

II. Determine the safety of this drug in these patients. III. Determine the tolerance to this drug in these patients. IV. Determine the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of this drug and its metabolites in these patients.

V. Determine, preliminarily, any antineoplastic activity of this drug in these patients.

OUTLINE: This is a dose-escalation study.

SCHEDULE A: Patients receive R(+)XK469 intravenously (IV) over 30 minutes on days 1, 3, and 5. Courses repeat every 3 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Cohorts of 3-6 patients receive escalating doses of R(+)XK469 until the recommended phase II dose or maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is determined. The MTD is defined as the dose preceding that at which 2 of 6 patients experience dose-limiting toxicity. Once the MTD is determined, additional patients are accrued and treated at the recommended phase II dose (for a maximum of 20 patients treated at that dose).

SCHEDULE B: Once the recommended phase II dose is determined on schedule A, additional patients are accrued and receive escalating doses of R(+)XK469 IV over 30-60 minutes on day 1, beginning at a reduced dose. Courses repeat every 3 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Dose escalation continues as in Schedule A.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

5 Years to 20 Years

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Histologically confirmed high-risk neuroblastoma that has relapsed or is refractory to standard therapy

No active brain metastases

Previously treated brain metastases allowed if there is no requirement for corticosteroids or anticonvulsants

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00028522